Preliminary hearing date set for man accused in Easter killing

COURTHOUSE – A Suffolk man accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a young woman on Easter Sunday was arraigned in General District Court this afternoon.

Michael F. Hines, 22, of the 100 block of Indian Point Road in Suffolk, appeared before Judge Teresa N. Hammons at 2 p.m. via a video conference from the city correctional center.

Hammons stated the charges Hines faces. She granted Hines’ request for a public defender and set a preliminary hearing for May 29.

The killing of Crystal Stevenson early April 5 followed an argument during a party in a residence on Gallery Avenue south of Dam Neck Road. She was 20.

WAVY-TV reported her family recently moved to Hampton from Texas. A page set up to cover funeral expenses said loved ones knew her as “Cali.”

Police and rescue officials responded on April 5 to a 2:15 a.m. call that someone had been shot on the 1600 block of Gallery Avenue. They found Stevenson dead.

Homicide Det. Justin Cole is the lead investigator in the case. He is listed in warrants as the arresting officer.

A witness told police the victim had an altercation with another woman in a residence, according to a sworn statement filed with search warrants. The women left, and Stevenson was shot, according to the statement.

Police took Hines into custody on Tuesday, and charged him with the felony charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Hines is originally from Portsmouth, and he lives in Suffolk with family and works at a shipyard, according to records filled with the district court.

Hines, who remained in custody following the arraignment, said little during his brief interaction with the judge this afternoon.

“Do you have any questions?” Hammons asked after setting the hearing date.